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Senate passes Anderson legislation legalizing CBD oil

Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD oil, would become legal in Illinois, under legislation sponsored by State Sen. Neil Anderson and passed unanimously by the Senate April 25.

The oil is becoming more popular in helping people manage pain and epileptic seizures.

“CBD oil has been proven to help with a lot of different ailments,” Anderson said. “It’s extracted from the male hemp plant – not the female plant. The female plant has high amounts of THC, the component of marijuana that gets people ‘high.’ So, to be clear, this legislation avoids that. CBD oil can be a game changer in people’s lives, helping them with their healthcare needs. This allows that to happen in a responsible way.”

Specifically, Anderson’s Senate Bill 2772 would legalize and regulate the sale of CBD oil that has a THC content of 0.3% or less.

“Right now, the sale of CBD oil is undefined in terms of its legality,” Anderson said. “This clarifies the definition.”

“Hemp could provide a big boost to the state’s already robust agriculture portfolio,” Anderson said. “Agriculture is the state’s number one economic driver and is a major player when it comes to job creation. This legislation will help in those arenas as well.”

Senate Bill 2298 passed unanimously and is now in the House for consideration.